Students Push UNLV Prez to Condemn Titus Cheating Incident

(UNLV College Republicans) – Today, it is with great disappointment that the College Republicans must continue their pursuit for a suitable response from UNLV President Neal Smatresk, in regards to the blatant cheating by UNLV professor and Congresswoman Dina Titus in a recent debate aired on PBS. In an email received last night, President Smatresk tried to pass the buck down to the organizers of the debate.

Our fine university encourages all students to look at all the facts before making a decision. It appears that President Smatresk chose to look at no facts when drafting his response, a response that took 12 days to arrive. It was clear from the Las Vegas Review-Journal article, published on October 15th, that notes were not allowed and debate organizers confirmed that Ms. Titus broke that rule.

Yesterday during a round of phone calls to University Regents, Dr. Ray Rawson said that he would dismiss a student from class for using notes during an exam, and that Ms. Titus would never have allowed a student to cheat. “We expect our politicians to not only not violate the rules, but set the standard. She should be held to that standard.”

Dr. Rawson appears to have a firm understanding of the severity of this issue, while President Smatresk prefers to remain in his seventh floor office avoiding a meeting with concerned students. The UNLV College Republicans applaud Regent Rawson for his accessibility and attention to this matter.

Mark Ciavola, a member of the UNLV College Republicans who spoke with Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Daniel Klaich yesterday said, “Chancellor Klaich believes a thoughtful letter deserves a thoughtful response.” Ciavola continued, “The UNLV College Republicans agree with the Chancellor, and are still waiting for that response.”

“It is deeply troubling that President Smatresk has continued to ignore our request for a face to face meeting,” said Matthew Jarzen, President of the UNLV College Republicans.

Jarzen continued, “President Smatresk has a duty and an obligation to the students at UNLV to address this matter directly and swiftly. Professor Titus has jeopardized the integrity of every faculty member at UNLV with her actions, and President Smatresk’s lack of response sends a poor message to both students and faculty. This is not about politics, this is about right and wrong, and the example being displayed by President Smatresk is one of cowardice.